Optical Module For Head-Mounted Device

ABSTRACT

An optical module for a head-mounted device is configured to present content to a user. The optical module includes an optical module housing assembly, a display assembly, and an eye camera. The optical module housing assembly has a first end and a second end. The lens is connected to the optical module housing assembly and positioned at the first end of the optical module housing assembly. The display assembly is connected to the optical module housing assembly and is positioned at the second end of the optical module housing assembly. The display assembly is configured to cause the content to be displayed to the user through the lens. The eye camera is connected to the optical module housing assembly and is positioned at the second end of the optical module housing assembly. The eye camera is configured to obtain images through the lens.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/904,602, filed on Jun. 18, 2020, and claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application No. 62/893,396, filed on Aug. 29, 2019, thecontents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entiretyfor all purposes.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to the field of head-mounteddevices.

BACKGROUND

Head-mounted devices include display screens and optics that guide lightfrom the display screens to a user's eyes. By guiding light to each ofthe user's eye's separately, content can be displayed to the user instereo vision, for example, as part of a computer-generated reality(CGR) experience.

SUMMARY

One aspect of the disclosure is an optical module for a head-mounteddevice that is configured to present content to a user. The opticalmodule includes an optical module housing assembly, a display assembly,and an eye camera. The optical module housing assembly has a first endand a second end. The lens is connected to the optical module housingassembly and positioned at the first end of the optical module housingassembly. The display assembly is connected to the optical modulehousing assembly and is positioned at the second end of the opticalmodule housing assembly. The display assembly is configured to cause thecontent to be displayed to the user through the lens. The eye camera isconnected to the optical module housing assembly and is positioned atthe second end of the optical module housing assembly. The eye camera isconfigured to obtain images through the lens.

In some implementations of the optical module, the optical modulehousing assembly includes a first portion that is connected to a secondportion, and the lens is retained between the first portion and thesecond portion. In some implementations of the optical module,projections are defined on the lens and channels are defined on thefirst portion of the optical module housing assembly such that theprojections are located in the channels and engage the first portion ofthe optical module housing assembly within the channels to secure thelens relative to the optical module housing assembly and restrainmovement of the lens relative to the optical module housing assembly. Insome implementations of the optical module, the lens and the displayassembly are connected to the optical module housing assembly in aside-by-side arrangement. In some implementations of the optical module,the optical module housing assembly defines an internal space betweenthe lens and the display assembly.

In some implementations of the optical module, the optical module alsoincludes a vent port that allows air to travel between the internalspace and an outside environment, and a filter element that restrainsforeign particles from entering the internal space. In someimplementations of the optical module, the optical module also includesa dust trap that is located in the internal space and is configured toretain foreign particles.

In some implementations of the optical module, the optical module alsoincludes a fiducial marker that is formed on the lens and is visible inimages obtained by the eye camera for use in calibration. In someimplementations of the optical module, the lens is a catadioptric lens.In some implementations of the optical module, the lens is a part of acatadioptric optical system.

Another aspect of the disclosure is an optical module for a head-mounteddevice that is configured to present content to a user. The opticalmodule includes an optical module housing assembly that defines aninternal space, a lens that is connected to the optical module housingassembly, a display assembly that is connected to the optical modulehousing assembly. The display assembly is configured to cause thecontent to be displayed to the user through the lens. An infraredemitter is located between the lens and the display assembly in theinternal space of the optical module housing assembly. The infraredemitter is configured to emit infrared radiation through the lens.

In some implementations of the optical module, the infrared emitterincludes a flexible circuit and emissive components that are connectedto the flexible circuit and are configured to emit infrared radiation.In some implementations of the optical module, wherein the emissivecomponents are arranged in an array around an optical axis of theoptical module housing assembly. In some implementations of the opticalmodule, the flexible circuit extends through an electrical port that isformed through the optical module housing assembly and a sealing elementis formed on the flexible circuit and is engaged with the optical modulehousing assembly at the electrical port. In some implementations of theoptical module, the optical module housing assembly defines an opticalpathway opening that is adjacent to the display assembly and isconfigured to allow light to pass from the display assembly to the lens,a base surface that extends around the optical pathway opening, whereinthe infrared emitter is located on the base surface, and a peripheralwall that is located outward from the base surface.

In some implementations of the optical module, the optical module alsoincludes an eye camera that is configured to obtain images that showreflected portions of the infrared radiation that is emitted by theinfrared emitter. In some implementations of the optical module, the eyecamera is connected to the optical module housing assembly and isconfigured to obtain the images through the lens. In someimplementations of the optical module, the lens is a catadioptric lens.In some implementations of the optical module, the lens is a part of acatadioptric optical system.

Another aspect of the disclosure is a head-mounted device that isconfigured to present content to a user. The head-mounted deviceincludes a housing, a first optical module that is located in thehousing, and a second optical module that is located in the housing. Aninterpupillary distance adjustment assembly supports the first opticalmodule and the second optical module with respect to the housing toallow adjustment of a distance between the first optical module and thesecond optical module. The head-mounted device also includes a firstfront-facing camera that is connected to the first optical module and ismovable in unison with the first optical module by the interpupillarydistance adjustment assembly, and a second front-facing camera that isconnected to the second optical module and is movable in unison with thesecond optical module by the interpupillary distance adjustmentassembly. Adjustment of the distance between the first optical moduleand the second optical module by the interpupillary distance adjustmentassembly also adjusts a distance between the first front-facing cameraand the second front-facing camera.

In some implementations of the head-mounted device, the housing includesone or more optically-transmissive panels through which the firstfront-facing camera and the second front-facing camera may obtain imagesof an environment.

In some implementations of the head-mounted device, an optical axis ofthe first front-facing camera is aligned with an optical axis of thefirst optical module and an optical axis of the second front-facingcamera is aligned with an optical axis of the second optical module.

In some implementations of the head-mounted device, the firstfront-facing camera is connected in a fixed relationship with respect tothe first optical module, and the second front-facing camera isconnected in a fixed relationship with respect to the second opticalmodule.

In some implementations of the head-mounted device, the interpupillarydistance adjustment assembly maintains a first spacing between anoptical axis of the first optical module and an optical axis of thesecond optical module generally equal to a second spacing between anoptical axis of the first front-facing camera and an optical axis of thesecond front facing camera during adjustment of the distance between thefirst optical module and the second optical module.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram that shows an example of a hardwareconfiguration for a head-mounted device.

FIG. 2 is a top view illustration that shows the head-mounted device,including a device housing and a support structure.

FIG. 3 is a rear view illustration taken along line A-A of FIG. 2 thatshows the device housing.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustration that shows an optical moduleof the head-mounted device.

FIG. 5 is an exploded side view diagram showing components of an opticalmodule according to an example.

FIG. 6 is a front view that shows the lens according to an example.

FIG. 7 is a cross-section view taken along line B-B of FIG. 6 showingthe lens.

FIG. 8 is a front view illustration that shows a housing body of anoptical module housing assembly

FIG. 9 is a cross-section view illustration taken along line C-C of FIG.8 showing the housing body.

FIG. 10 is a front view illustration that shows a retainer of theoptical module housing assembly.

FIG. 11 is a cross-section view illustration taken along line D-D ofFIG. 10 showing the retainer.

FIG. 12 is a front view illustration that shows an infrared emitter.

FIG. 13 is a cross-section view illustration showing a portion of theinfrared emitter and a peripheral wall of the housing body.

FIG. 14 is a cross-section view illustration that shows the opticalmodule.

FIG. 15 is a cross-section view illustration that shows the opticalmodule according to an alternative implementation in which an opticalaxis of the eye camera is angled toward an optical axis of the opticalmodule.

FIG. 16 is a cross-section view illustration that shows the opticalmodule according to an alternative implementation in which the infraredemitter is located outside of the housing body of the optical modulehousing assembly.

FIG. 17 is a side-view illustration that shows a display moduleaccording to an implementation.

FIG. 18 is a top-view illustration that shows interpupillary adjustmentmechanisms that each support one of the optical modules.

FIG. 19 is a side view illustration that shows one of the interpupillaryadjustment mechanisms.

FIG. 20 is a top-view cross-section illustration that shows front-facingcameras that are supported by each of the optical modules.

FIG. 21 is an illustration that shows connection of the eye camera andthe infrared emitter to a computing device by an optical module jumperboard.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The disclosure herein relates to head-mounted devices that are used toshow computer-generated reality (CGR) content to users. Head-mounteddevices and intended to be worn by users on their heads, and typicallywith display devices and associated optical components located near theuser's eyes. Some head-mounted devices utilize an optical architecturethat requires a specific distance (or a relatively small range ofdistances) between a display screen and a lens assembly and a specificapproximate distance between the lens assembly and a user's eye. Thesystems and methods herein relate to structural features of opticalmodules and head-mounted devices that accommodate significant reductionsin these distances, which reduces the overall package size of thedevice.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram that shows an example of a hardwareconfiguration for a head-mounted device 100. The head-mounted device 100is intended to be worn on the head of a user and includes componentsthat are configured to display content to the user. Components that areincluded in the head-mounted device 100 may be configured to trackmotion of parts of the user's body, such as the user's head and hands.Motion tracking information that is obtained by components of thehead-mounted device can be utilized as inputs that control aspects ofthe generation and display of the content to the user, so that thecontent displayed to the user can be part of a CGR experience in whichthe user is able to view and interact with virtual environments andvirtual objects. In the illustrated example, the head-mounted device 100includes a device housing 102, a face seal 104, a support structure 106,a processor 108, a memory 110, a storage device 112, a communicationsdevice 114, sensors 116, a power source 118, and optical modules 120.The head-mounted device 100 includes two of the optical modules 120, todisplay content to the user's eyes. The optical modules 120 may eachinclude an optical module housing 122, a display assembly 124, and alens assembly 126.

The device housing 102 is a structure that supports various othercomponents that are included in the head-mounted device. The devicehousing 102 may be an enclosed structure such that certain components ofthe head-mounted device 100 are contained within the device housing 102and thereby protected from damage.

The face seal 104 is connected to the device housing 102 and is locatedat areas around a periphery of the device housing 102 where contact withthe user's face is likely. The face seal 104 functions to conform toportions of the user's face to allow the support structure 106 to betensioned to an extent that will restrain motion of the device housing102 with respect to the user's head. The face seal 104 may also functionto reduce the amount of light from the physical environment around theuser that reaches the user's eyes. The face seal 104 may contact areasof the user's face, such as the user's forehead, temples, and cheeks.The face seal 104 may be formed from a compressible material, such asopen-cell foam or closed cell foam.

The support structure 106 is connected to the device housing 102. Thesupport structure 106 is a component or collection of components thatfunction to secure the device housing 102 in place with respect to theuser's head so that the device housing 102 is restrained from movingwith respect to the user's head and maintains a comfortable positionduring use. The support structure 106 can be implemented using rigidstructures, elastic flexible straps, or inelastic flexible straps.

The processor 108 is a device that is operable to execute computerprogram instructions and is operable to perform operations that aredescribed by the computer program instructions. The processor 108 may beimplemented using a conventional device, such as a central processingunit, and provided with computer-executable instructions that cause theprocessor 108 to perform specific functions. The processor 108 may be aspecial-purpose processor (e.g., an application-specific integratedcircuit or a field-programmable gate array) that implements a limitedset of functions. The memory 110 may be a volatile, high-speed,short-term information storage device such as a random-access memorymodule.

The storage device 112 is intended to allow for long term storage ofcomputer program instructions and other data. Examples of suitabledevices for use as the storage device 112 include non-volatileinformation storage devices of various types, such as a flash memorymodule, a hard drive, or a solid-state drive.

The communications device 114 supports wired or wireless communicationswith other devices. Any suitable wired or wireless communicationsprotocol may be used.

The sensors 116 are components that are incorporated in the head-mounteddevice 100 to provide inputs to the processor 108 for use in generatingCGR content. The sensors 116 include components that facilitate motiontracking (e.g., head tracking and optionally handheld controllertracking in six degrees of freedom). The sensors 116 may also includeadditional sensors that are used by the device to generate and/orenhance the user's experience in any way. The sensors 116 may includeconventional components such as cameras, infrared cameras, infraredemitters, depth cameras, structured-light sensing devices,accelerometers, gyroscopes, and magnetometers. The sensors 116 may alsoinclude biometric sensors that are operable to physical or physiologicalfeatures of a person, for example, for use in user identification andauthorization. Biometric sensors may include fingerprint scanners,retinal scanners, and face scanners (e.g., two-dimensional andthree-dimensional scanning components operable to obtain image and/orthree-dimensional surface representations). Other types of devices canbe incorporated in the sensors 116. The information that is generated bythe sensors 116 is provided to other components of the head-mounteddevice 100, such as the processor 108, as inputs.

The power source 118 supplies electrical power to components of thehead-mounted device 100. In some implementations, the power source 118is a wired connection to electrical power. In some implementations, thepower source 118 may include a battery of any suitable type, such as arechargeable battery. In implementations that include a battery, thehead-mounted device 100 may include components that facilitate wired orwireless recharging.

In some implementations of the head-mounted device 100, some or all ofthese components may be included in a separate device that is removable.For example, any or all of the processor 108, the memory 110, and/or thestorage device 112, the communications device 114, and the sensors 116may be incorporated in a device such as a smart phone that is connected(e.g., by docking) to the other portions of the head-mounted device 100.

In some implementations of the head-mounted device 100, the processor108, the memory 110, and/or the storage device 112 are omitted, and thecorresponding functions are performed by an external device thatcommunicates with the head-mounted device 100. In such animplementation, the head-mounted device 100 may include components thatsupport a data transfer connection with the external device using awired connection or a wireless connection that is established using thecommunications device 114.

The components that are included in the optical modules support thefunction of displaying content to the user in a manner that supports CGRexperiences. The optical modules 120 are each assemblies that includemultiple components, which include the optical module housing 122, thedisplay assembly 124, and the lens assembly 126, as will be describedfurther herein.

Other components may also be included in each of the optical modules.Although not illustrated in FIGS. 2-3 , the optical modules 120 may besupported by adjustment assemblies that allow the position of theoptical modules 120 to be adjusted. As an example, the optical modules120 may each be supported by an interpupillary distance adjustmentmechanism that allows the optical modules 120 to slide laterally towardor away from each other. As another example, the optical modules 120 maybe supported by an eye relief distance adjustment mechanism that allowsadjustment of the distance between the optical modules 120 and theuser's eyes.

FIG. 2 is a top view illustration that shows the head-mounted device100, including the device housing 102, the face seal 104, and thesupport structure 106. FIG. 3 is a rear view illustration taken alongline A-A of FIG. 2 . In the illustrated example, the device housing 102is a generally rectangular structure having a width that is selected tobe similar to the width of the head of a typical person, and a heightselected so as to extend approximately from the forehead to the base ofthe nose of a typical person. This configuration is an example, andother shapes and sizes may be used.

An eye chamber 328 is defined by the device housing 102 and is borderedby the face seal 104 at its outer periphery. The eye chamber 328 is opento the exterior of the head-mounted device 100 to allow the user's faceto be positioned adjacent to the eye chamber 328, which is otherwiseenclosed by the device housing 102. The face seal 104 may extend aroundpart or all of the periphery of the device housing 102 adjacent to theeye chamber 328. The face seal 104 may function to exclude some of thelight from the environment around the head-mounted device 100 fromentering the eye-chamber 328 and reaching the user's eyes.

In the illustrated example, the support structure 106 is a headband typedevice that is connected to left and right lateral sides of the devicehousing 102 and is intended to extend around the user's head. Otherconfigurations may be used for the support structure 106, such as ahalo-type configuration in which the device housing 102 is supported bya structure that is connected to a top portion of the device housing102, engages the user's forehead above the device housing 102, andextends around the user's head, or a mohawk-type configuration in whicha structure extends over the user's head. Although not illustrated, thesupport structure 106 may include passive or active adjustmentcomponents, which may be mechanical or electromechanical, that allowportions of the support structure 106 to expand and contract to adjustthe fit of the support structure 106 with respect to the user's head.

The optical modules 120 are located in the device housing 102 and extendoutward into the eye chamber 328. Portions of the optical modules 120are located in the eye chamber 328 so that the user can see the contentthat is displayed by the optical modules 120. The optical modules 120are located within the eye chamber 328 at locations that are intended tobe adjacent to the user's eyes. As an example, the head-mounted device100 may be configured to position portions of the lens assemblies 126 ofthe optical modules 120 approximately 15 millimeters from the user'seyes.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustration that shows one of the opticalmodules 120, including the optical module housing 122, the displayassembly 124, and the lens assembly 126. The display assembly 124 andthe lens assembly 126 are each connected to the optical module housing122. In the illustrated example, the lens assembly 126 is positioned ata front end of the optical module 120, and the display assembly 124 ispositioned at a rear end of the optical module 120. The optical modulehousing 122 defines an internal space between the display assembly 124and the lens assembly 126 to allow light to travel from the displayassembly 124 to the lens assembly 126 within an environment that issealed and protected from external contaminants while protectingsensitive components from damage.

The display assembly 124 includes a display screen that is configured todisplay content, such as images, according to signals received from theprocessor 108 and/or from external devices using the communicationsdevice 114 in order to output CGR content to the user. As an example,the display assembly 124 may output still images and/or video images inresponse to received signals. The display assembly 124 may include, asexamples, an LED screen, an LCD screen, an OLED screen, a micro LEDscreen, or a micro OLED screen.

The lens assembly 126 includes one or more lenses that direct light tothe user's eyes in a manner that allows viewing of CGR content. In someimplementations, the lens assembly 126 is a catadioptric optical systemthat utilizes both reflection and refraction in order to achieve desiredoptical properties in a small package size. Reflection, in someimplementations, may be achieved by internal reflection at boundariesbetween material layers of a single lens. Thus, in some implementations,the lens assembly 126 may be implemented using a single multi-layeredcatadioptric lens.

The lens assembly 126 may be positioned partially within the opticalmodule housing 122. As will be explained further herein, the opticalmodule housing 122 may include two or more components that areconfigured to retain the lens assembly in a desired position andorientation.

FIG. 5 is an exploded side view diagram showing components of an opticalmodule 520 according to a first example. FIG. 5 is a schematic viewintended to show the positional relationships between various featuresand does not include specific structural details of the components ofthe optical module 520. The optical module 520 can be implemented in thecontext of a head-mounted display (e.g., the head-mounted device 100)and may be implemented according to the description of the opticalmodule 120 and the further description herein. The optical module 520includes an optical module housing assembly 522, a display assembly 524,a lens 526, an eye camera 530, and an infrared emitter 532. As will bedescribed further herein, these components are arranged along an opticalaxis 521 of the optical module 520 such that images generated using thedisplay assembly are projected to the user along the optical axis 521.

Although the lens 526 is described as a single element herein, it shouldbe understood that the lens 526 may be part of an assembly of opticalelements or may be an assembly of optical elements, as described withrespect to the lens assembly 126. Thus, for example the lens 526 may bea catadioptric lens or the lens 526 may be part of a catadioptricoptical system.

The optical module housing assembly 522 may include multiple parts thatare connected to each other. In the illustrated example, the opticalmodule housing assembly 522 includes a housing body 534 and a retainer536. The housing body 534 is configured to be connected to otherstructures within the housing of a head-mounted display (e.g., in thedevice housing 102 of the head-mounted device 100). The housing body 534is also provides a structure to which other components of the opticalmodule 520 may be attached, including the display assembly 524, the eyecamera 530 and the infrared emitter 532. The primary portions of theoptical module housing assembly 522, such as the housing body 534 andthe retainer 536, may be made from a rigid material, such as plastic oraluminum. The optical module housing assembly 522 is arranged around theoptical axis 521, and both visible light and infrared radiation may beincident on surfaces of the optical module housing assembly 522. Forthis reason, portions of the optical module housing assembly 522 may becoated with materials (e.g., paints or other coating materials) thatexhibit low reflectance of both visible and infrared wavelengths ofelectromagnetic radiation.

The retainer 536 is connected to an outer (e.g., user-facing) end of thehousing body 534 of the optical module 520. As examples, the retainer536 may be connected to the housing body 534 by fasteners or by anadhesive. The retainer 536 and the housing body 534 of the opticalmodule housing assembly 522 are configured such that the lens 526 isretained between the retainer 536 and the housing body 534, as will beexplained further herein. The retainer 536 and the housing body 534 havering-like configurations along the optical axis 521 to allow light fromthe display assembly 524 to pass through the lens 526 and toward theuser.

The display assembly 524 includes a seal 538, a bezel 540, a displaymodule 542, a thermal interface 544, and a heat sink 546. The displayassembly 524 is connected to the optical module housing assembly 522. Asan example, the display assembly 524 may be connected to the opticalmodule housing assembly 522 by screws or other fasteners that allowdisassembly of the display assembly 524 from the optical module housingassembly 522 (e.g., to allow for inspection and/or repair). The seal 538is a sealing material of any suitable type that is configured to preventforeign particle (e.g., dust) intrusion at the interface of the displayassembly 524 with the optical module housing assembly 522. The bezel 540is a structural component that supports the display module 542 andprotects it from damage. As an example, bezel 540 may be connected tothe heat sink 546 (e.g., by screws or other fasteners) to capture thedisplay module 542 and the heat sink 546. The seal 538 may be engagedwith the bezel 540 and the optical module housing assembly 522 to sealthe interface between them.

The seal 538 and the bezel 540 have a ring-like configuration withcentral openings along the optical axis 521 in order to avoid blockinglight emission from the display module 542 toward the lens 526.

The display module 542 includes a display screen that displays images(e.g., by emitting light using a grid of light-emitting elements todefine a picture). The display module 542 may be implemented using anysuitable display technology, including light-emitting diode-baseddisplay technologies, organic light-emitting diode-based displaytechnologies, and micro light-emitting diode-based display technologies.In some implementations, a layer of cover glass is attached (e.g., bylaminating) to the display surface of the display module 542 to providestrength, to serve as a mounting feature, and to serve as a sealinginterface.

The thermal interface 544 is a thermally conductive and electricallynon-conductive material that is located between the display module 542and the heat sink 546 to promote heat transfer from the display module542 to the heat sink 546. The thermal interface 544 is a compliantmaterial that is able to fill in gaps that would otherwise be presentbetween the display module 542 and the heat sink 546, and which wouldreduce the efficiency of heat transfer. As an example, the thermalinterface may be dispensable thermal gel that is applied to the displaymodule 542 or the heat sink 546. A reworkable material may be used forthe thermal interface 544, such as a material that is applied byroom-temperature vulcanization.

The heat sink 546 is a rigid structure (e.g., formed from metal) thatreadily conducts heat and is configured to release heat to the ambientenvironment. As an example, the heat sink 546 may incorporate structuresthat increase surface area, such as fins, to promote heat dissipation,and/or may include features that conduct heat away from heat-generatingcomponents (e.g., the display module 542), such as a heat pipe.

FIG. 6 is a front view illustration that shows the lens 526 according toan example, and FIG. 7 is a cross-section view illustration taken alongline B-B of FIG. 6 showing the lens 526. The lens 526 is an opticalelement (or combination of multiple optical elements, e.g., multiplelenses) that is configured to refract and/or reflect light that isincident on the lens 526. In the illustrated example, the lens 526 isformed from molded transparent plastic, by glass may be used. Surfaceconfigurations that cause refraction and/or reflection of light (e.g.,convexity and concavity) are not shown in the figures for simplicity andclarity, and these features may be defined as needed for desiredperformance of the optical system.

The lens 526 includes a lens body 648 and projections 649 that extendoutward from the lens body 648. The lens body 648 extends from an outersurface 750 (oriented toward the user) to an inner surface 751 (orientedtoward the display assembly 524. The lens body 648 will typically have awidth (or range of widths) that is greater than the height of the lensbody 648 as measured along the optical axis 521 of the optical module520. The lens body 648 may be formed in any shape (as viewed from an endalong the optical axis 521), such as generally cylindrical, oval,rounded rectangle, or irregular. The projections 649 may have a height(in the direction of the optical axis 521) that is less than the heightof the lens body 648, such as 10 percent to 50 percent of the height ofthe lens body 648. As will be explained herein, the projections 649facilitate alignment and retention of the lens 526 relative to theoptical module housing assembly 522.

In the illustrated example, a peripheral wall of the lens body 648extends from the outer surface 750 to the inner surface 751 withouttapering, so that the peripheral wall is generally in alignment with theoptical axis 521 and the outer surface 750 and the inner surface 751 aregenerally the same in shape and size (e.g., except for minor deviationssuch as the projections 649). In other implementations, the peripheralwall of the lens body 648 may be tapered. For example, the peripheralwall of the lens body 648 may be tapered progressively away from theoptical axis 521 in a direction of travel extending from the outersurface 750 to the inner surface 751, so that that the size of the outersurface 750 is smaller than the size of the inner surface 751.

FIG. 8 is a front view illustration that shows the housing body 534 ofthe optical module housing assembly 522, and FIG. 9 is a cross-sectionview illustration taken along line C-C of FIG. 8 showing the housingbody 534. The housing body 534 includes a base portion 852, an opticalpathway opening 853 that is formed through the base portion 852, aperipheral wall 854 that extends around the optical pathway opening 853.

The base portion 852 extends generally perpendicular to the optical axis521 of the optical module 520. The base portion 852 may incorporatefeatures that allow attachment of other components to the optical modulehousing assembly 522. As one example, the display assembly 524 may beattached to the base portion 852 (e.g., by fasteners or adhesives). Asanother example, the eye camera 530 may be attached to the base portion852 (e.g., by fasteners or adhesives).

The peripheral wall 854 extends outward from the base portion 852 in adirection that is generally toward the user and generally aligned withthe optical axis 521 of the optical module 520. As viewed along theoptical axis 521, the shape and size of the peripheral wall 854 issimilar to that of the outer periphery of the lens 526, since theperipheral wall 854 is part of the structure that supports and retainsthe lens 526, as will be described further herein. A vent port 855 isformed through the peripheral wall 854 and may extend, for example,between inner and outer surfaces of the peripheral wall 854 in adirection that is generally perpendicular to the optical axis 521 of theoptical module 520. An electrical port 856 is formed through theperipheral wall 854 and may extend, for example, between inner and outersurfaces of the peripheral wall 854 in a direction that is generallyperpendicular to the optical axis 521 of the optical module 520.

A base surface 857 is defined on the base portion 852 and is locatedinward from the peripheral wall 854. The base surface 857 is adjacent toand extends around the optical pathway opening 853, which is an openingthat is defined by the housing body 534 to allow light to travel fromthe display assembly 524 to the lens 526. A camera opening 858 is formedthrough the base surface 857 and is adjacent to, but separate from, theoptical pathway opening 853. The camera opening 858 extends through thebase surface 857 in a direction that is generally toward the user. Asexamples the camera opening 858 may extend through the base surface 857in a direction that is generally aligned with the optical axis 521 ofthe optical module 520, or within 45 degrees of parallel to the opticalaxis 521 of the optical module 520.

FIG. 10 is a front view illustration that shows the retainer 536 of theoptical module housing assembly 522, and FIG. 11 is a cross-section viewillustration taken along line D-D of FIG. 10 showing the retainer 536.The retainer 536 includes a peripheral wall 1060 that extends around anoptical pathway opening 1061. The peripheral wall 1060 includes an upperinner periphery portion 1062 that borders and extends around the opticalpathway opening 1061. The upper inner periphery portion 1062 isconfigured to receive the lens body 648 of the lens 526. Channels 1063are formed in the upper inner periphery portion 1062 and are open to theoptical pathway opening 1061. The size and position of the channels 1063corresponds to the size and position of the projections 649 of the lens526 such that the projections 649 can be received in the channels 1063to secure the lens 526 relative to the housing body 534 and restrainrelative movement. The peripheral wall 1060 includes a lower innerperiphery portion 1064 that borders and extends around the opticalpathway opening 1061. The lower inner periphery portion 1064 isconfigured for connection to the peripheral wall 854 of the housing body534.

FIG. 12 is a front view illustration that shows the infrared emitter532. The infrared emitter 532 includes a flexible circuit 1266, emissivecomponents 1267, an electrical connector 1268, and a sealing element1269. The flexible circuit 1266 is a flexible substrate that haselectrical conductors formed on it. The flexible substrate may benonconductive polymer film. The electrical conductors may be conductivetraces formed from copper. As an example, the flexible circuit 1266 maybe formed by multiple layers of nonconductive polymer film withconductive traces formed between adjacent layers of the film. As will beexplained further herein, the shape of the flexible circuit 1266 may bearranged such that is conforms to the shape of a portion of the opticalmodule housing assembly 522 such that the infrared emitter may belocated in or connected to the optical module housing assembly 522. Inthe illustrated example, the flexible circuit 1266 has a c-shapedconfigured that allows the flexible circuit 1266 to extend around theoptical axis 521 of the optical module 520 so that the emissivecomponents 1267 may be arranged around the optical axis 521 in an arraywithout blocking the optical path (pathway along which light may travel)between the display assembly 524 and the lens 526 of the optical module520.

The emissive components 1267 are components that are configured to emitinfrared radiation within one or more wavelength bands. The infraredradiation that is emitted by the emissive components 1267 and reflectedby the user's eye may be imaged by the eye camera 530 for use in imagingtasks.

The emissive components 1267 may be for example, infrared light emittingdiodes. In one implementation, the emissive components 1267 include afirst group of components that are configured to emit infrared radiationin a first wavelength band and a second group of components that areconfigured to emit infrared radiation in a second wavelength band. Thefirst and second wavelength bands may correspond to different imagingtasks. As an example, the first wavelength band may be configured foruse in biometric identification by iris scanner (e.g., a wavelength bandincluding 850 nanometers), and the second wavelength band may beconfigured for use in eye gaze direction tracking (e.g., a wavelengthband including 940 nanometers).

The electrical connector 1268 of the infrared emitter 532 is a standardcomponent of any suitable type that allows connection to othercomponents to provide electrical power and, optionally, operatingcommands, to the infrared emitter 532. The sealing element 1269 isformed on the flexible circuit 1266 between the electrical connector1268 and the emissive components 1267. As best seen in FIG. 13 , whichis a cross-section view illustration showing the flexible circuit and aportion of the peripheral wall 854 of the housing body 534 of theoptical module housing assembly 522, the flexible circuit 1266 extendsthrough and is surrounded by the sealing element 1269. The sealingelement 1269 is formed from a resilient flexible material that isconfigured to engage a portion of the optical module housing assembly522 to allow the flexible circuit 1266 to exit the interior of theoptical module housing assembly 522 without providing a pathway alongwhich foreign particles (e.g., dust particles) may enter the interior ofthe optical module housing assembly 522. As an example, the sealingelement 1269 may be formed from silicone that is overmolded onto theflexible circuit 1266 such that the flexible circuit extends through thesealing element 1269. In the illustrated example, the flexible circuit1266 extends through the electrical port 856 of the housing body 534such that the sealing element 1269 is located in the electrical port 856and is engaged with the housing body 534 ad the electrical port 856 todefine a seal and occupy the electrical port 856 to prevent entry offoreign particles.

FIG. 14 is a cross section view illustration that shows the opticalmodule 520.

The lens 526 is disposed between the housing body 534 and the retainer536. The housing body 534 is connected to the retainer 536 such that thelens 526 is located between the housing body 534 and the retainer 536.Thus, the housing body 534 and the retainer 536 engage the lens 526 suchthat the lens 526 is restrained from moving relative to the housing body534 and the retainer 536. To protect the lens 526 from damage (e.g., ifthe head-mounted device 100 is dropped), a layer of adhesive may bepresent between the lens 526 and portions of the housing body 534 and/orthe retainer 536. The adhesive that is used for this purposes is strongto secure the lens 526 in a desired alignment and is flexible andelastic to cushion the lens 526 in the event of vibration or impactshock, and to allow the lens 526 to return to its original position.

The vent port 855 is formed through the peripheral wall 854 of thehousing body 534 and allows air to enter and exit an internal space 1470of the optical module 520. The internal space 1470 is defined within theoptical module housing assembly 522 by the housing body 534 and theretainer 536 and between the lens 526 and the display assembly 524. Theinternal space 1470 is sealed from the outside environment except at thevent port 855. The vent port 885 is a passage that allows air to travelbetween the internal space 1470 and the outside environment that islocated around the optical module 520. By allowing air to enter and exitthe internal space 1470, air pressure within the internal space 1470remains at or near ambient (e.g., outside the optical module 520) airpressure. To exclude foreign particles from the internal space 1470, afilter element 1471 is connected to the vent port 885 such that any airthat passes through the vent port 855 must pass through filter element1471. The filter element 1471 is configured to restrain foreignparticles from entering the internal space through the vent port 885(e.g., by preventing entry of foreign particles that are larger than apore size of the filter material). As examples, the filter element 1471may be located in or on the vent port 855. The filter element 1471 has asmall pore size that is intended to exclude small particles (e.g., dustparticles) from the internal space 1470. As one example, the filterelement 1471 may be formed from a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) filtermaterial. To capture particles that are present inside the internalspace 1470, a dust trap 1472 may be located in the internal space 1470,for example, connected to an internal surface of the housing body 534.The dust trap 1472 is configured to retain foreign particles on itssurface, so that the foreign particles do not instead settle on surfaceswhere they may cause an optical aberration. As an example, the dust trap1472 may be an adhesive element, such as a sheet coated in adhesivematerial, to which airborne particles that are inside the internal space1470 may become affixed, which prevents the particles from attaching tothe display assembly 524, or the lens 526, which could cause opticalaberrations that are perceptible to the user (e.g., a visual artifactsimilar to a dead pixel).

The eye camera 530 is a still image camera or video camera that isconfigured to obtain images. When in use, the images that are obtainedby the eye camera 530 include a visual representation of part of or allof the user's eye, so that the obtained images may be used for biometricidentification (e.g., verifying the identity of the user based on animage of the user's eye) and gaze tracking. In the implementations thatare discussed herein, the eye camera 530 is sensitive to infrared light(i.e., electromagnetic radiation in the infrared portion of theelectromagnetic spectrum). Thus, the eye camera 530 may be configured toobtain images that show reflected portions of the infrared radiationthat is emitted by the infrared emitter 532, and these reflectedportions of infrared radiation, as represented in the images, are usefulfor observing and identifying features of the user's eye, which may bedone using a machine vision-based system that is implemented in softwarethat is executed by the head-mounted device 100. In alternativeimplementations, the eye camera 530 may instead by implemented using avisible spectrum camera or may be supplemented using the visiblespectrum camera in addition to an infrared spectrum camera.

The eye camera 530 is connected to the housing body 534 of the opticalmodule housing assembly 522 adjacent to the camera opening 858 of thehousing body 534 such that an optical axis 1431 of the eye camera 530extends through the camera opening 858. In the illustrated example, theeye camera 530 is oriented such that an optical axis 1431 of the eyecamera 530 is substantially aligned with the optical axis 521 of theoptical module 520. However, the eye camera 530 is positioned near anouter periphery of the lens 526 and is therefore offset and outward fromthe optical axis 521 of the optical module 520. Thus, the housing body534 and/or the eye camera 530 may be configured (e.g., by an inclinedmounting surface) such that the optical axis 1431 of the eye camera 530is angled toward the optical axis 521 of the optical module 520, asshown in FIG. 15 , which is a cross-section view illustration that showsthe optical module 520 according to an alternative implementation.

Returning to FIG. 14 , in some implementations, a fiducial marker 1465may be formed on the lens 526. The fiducial marker 1465 is any manner ofmarking that can be perceived and located in images obtained by the eyecamera 530. The fiducial marker 1465 is visible in images obtained bythe eye camera 530 for use in calibration. The head-mounted device 100is calibrated to account for manufacturing conditions, user attributes,and/or other factors that may cause visual aberrations. During aninitial calibration, the position of the fiducial marker 1465 isdetermined and stored. The lens 526 may shift with respect to othercomponents, such as the optical module housing assembly 522, forexample, if the head-mounted device 100 is dropped. The changed positionof the lens 526 can be identified by comparing the position of the lens526 in images obtained by the eye camera 530 with the position of thelens 526 in the images that was obtained at the time of calibration. Inresponse to determining that the lens position has changed, calibrationis performed again to address any visual aberrations that may haveresulted from the shift in position of the lens 526.

The infrared emitter 532 is located on the base surface 857 of thehousing body 534 and extends around the optical axis 521 within theinternal space 1470 that is defined within the optical module housingassembly 522 by the housing body 534 and the retainer 536 and betweenthe lens 526 and the display assembly 524. The display assembly 524 isconnected to the housing body 534 of optical module housing assembly 522adjacent to the optical pathway opening 853 of the housing body 534.

In one implementation, the optical module 520 includes the opticalmodule housing assembly 522, the display assembly 524, the lens 526, andthe eye camera 530. The lens 526 is positioned at a first end of theoptical module housing assembly 522, the display assembly and the eyecamera 530 are positioned at a second end of the optical module housingassembly 522, and the internal space 1470 is defined within the opticalmodule housing assembly 522 between the first end and the second end.The eye camera 530 is positioned such that it is able to obtain imagesof the user's eye through the eye camera 530. The lens 526 may beconnected to the optical module housing assembly 522 such that it ispositioned adjacent to the display assembly 524, such as in aside-by-side arrangement with respect to the display assembly 524.

In one implementation, the optical module 520 includes the opticalmodule housing assembly 522, the display assembly 524, the lens 526, andthe infrared emitter 532. The lens 526 is positioned at a first end ofthe optical module housing assembly 522, the display assembly ispositioned at a second end of the optical module housing assembly 522,and the internal space 1470 is defined within the optical module housingassembly 522 between the first end and the second end. The infraredemitter 532 is positioned in the internal space 1470 between the lens526 and the display assembly 524. The infrared emitter 532 is positionedsuch that is able to project infrared radiation onto the user's eyethrough the lens 526. The optical module 520 also includes the eyecamera 530, which is connected to the optical module housing assembly522 such that the infrared emitter 532 is positioned between (e.g.,along the optical axis 521) the eye camera 530 and the lens 526.

In the implementation shown in FIG. 14 , the infrared emitter 532 islocated on the base surface 857 of the housing body 534 in the internalspace 1470. FIG. 16 is a cross-section view illustration that shows theoptical module 520 according to an alternative implementation in whichthe infrared emitter 532 is located outside of the housing body 534 ofthe optical module housing assembly 522. In this implementation, theinfrared emitter 532 is connected (e.g., by an adhesive) to an exteriorsurface of the housing body 534 such that it is positioned adjacent toand extends around the display assembly 524.

An infrared-transmissive panel 1673 is formed in the housing body 534 toallow infrared radiation that is emitted by the infrared emitter 532 totravel through the optical module housing assembly 522 and the lens 526.The infrared-transmissive panel 1673 is formed from a material thatallows infrared radiation to pass through it without significant losses.As examples, the infrared-transmissive panel 1673 may be formed fromglass or from an infrared transmissive plastic. In the illustratedexample, the infrared-transmissive panel 1673 extends through anaperture that is formed through the base surface 857. Theinfrared-transmissive panel 1673 may be a single panel that extendsalong the base surface 857 adjacent to all of the emissive components1267 of the infrared emitter 532, or may be multiple panels that extendthrough separate apertures that are formed through the base surface 857adjacent to individual ones of the emissive components 1267. In someimplementations, the infrared-transmissive panel 1673 may be omitted infavor of forming part or all of the optical module housing assembly 522(e.g., the housing body 534) from an infrared-transmissive material.

In the examples shown in FIGS. 14-16 , the optical module 120 is shownas including a single eye camera, which is represented by the eye camera530. The optical module 120 could instead include more than one eyecamera (e.g., two eye cameras), with each of the eye cameras beingconfigured to obtain images showing infrared radiation that is reflectedfrom the eye of the user. The eye cameras are located at differentlocations (e.g., opposite lateral sides of the eye of the user) and maybe oriented at different angular orientations. The images output bymultiple eye cameras may provide a more complete view of the eye of theuser.

FIG. 17 is a side-view illustration that shows the display module 542according to an implementation. The display module 542 includes asilicon wafer 1775 and a display element layer 1776 (e.g., an organiclight-emitting diode layer) that is located on the silicon wafer 1775.The display element layer 1776 may be covered by a glass layer 1777. Adisplay connector 1778 includes a first portion 1779 and a secondportion 1780. The first portion 1779 of the display connector 1778 is aflexible connector (e.g., a two-layer flexible connector) that isconnected to silicon wafer 1775 by an electrical connection 1781 thatconnects individual conductors formed on the silicon wafer 1775 withindividual conductors formed on the first portion 1779 of the displayconnector 1778. As an example, the electrical connection 1781 mayinclude an anisotropic film that bonds the display connector 1778 to thesilicon wafer 1775 while allowing electrical communication.

The second portion 1780 of the display connector 1778 is a multi-layer(e.g., six layer) flexible connector, of the type commonly referred toas a “rigid flex” connector. The second portion 1780 may include acavity 1782 that is defined by removal of one or more of the layers ofthe multi-layer structure of the second portion 1780. A driverintegrated circuit 1783 is located in the cavity 1782 in order toprotect the driver integrated circuit 1783. The function of the driverintegrated circuit 1783 is to receive display signals in a first format(e.g., encoded or multiplexed) and interpret the signals into a secondformat that is usable by the display element layer 1776 of the displaymodule 542 to output images. A connector 1784 (e.g., a micro-coaxialconnector) may be located on and electrically connected to the secondportion 1780 of the display connector 1778 in order to connect thedisplay module 542 to other components (e.g., to a computing device thatprovides content to be displayed).

FIG. 18 is a top-view illustration that shows interpupillary distanceadjustment mechanisms 1885 that each support one of the optical modules520 (i.e., left and right optical modules) with respect to the devicehousing 102. The interpupillary distance adjustment mechanisms 1885 arean example of an interpupillary distance adjustment assembly that isconfigured to adjust a distance between the optical modules 520 thatdisplay content to the left eye and the right eye of the user, in orderto match the spacing between the optical modules 520 with the spacingbetween the user's eyes.

The optical modules 520 may be supported such that the optical axis 521of each of the optical modules 520 extends generally in a front-to-backdirection of the device housing 102. The interpupillary distanceadjustment mechanisms 1885 include support rods 1886 and actuatorassemblies 1887 that are configured to cause movement of the opticalmodules 520 along the support rods 1886 in response to a control signal.The actuator assemblies 1887 may include conventional motion controlcomponents such as electric motors that are connected to the opticalmodules 520 by components such as lead screws or belts to causemovement. Mounting brackets 1888 may be connected to the optical modules520 such that the support rods 1886 are connected to the mountingbrackets 1888, such as by extending through apertures 1889 that areformed through the mounting brackets 1888. The interpupillary distanceadjustment mechanisms 1885 may also include biasing elements such assprings that are engaged with the mounting brackets 1888 to reduce oreliminate unintended motion of the mounting brackets 1888 and/or theoptical modules 520 with respect to the support rods 1886. The supportrods 1886 may be angled relative to a lateral (e.g., side-to-side)dimension of the device housing 102 such that they move toward the useras they move outward. As an example, the support rods may be angled byfive degrees relative to the lateral dimension.

FIG. 19 is a side view illustration that shows one of the interpupillarydistance adjustment mechanisms 1885. The support rods 1886 may includeupper and lower support rods for each of the optical modules thatsupport the optical modules 520 such that the optical axis 521 of eachoptical module 520 is angled slightly downward, such as by five degrees.Springs 1990 (e.g., leaf springs) may be seated in the apertures 1889 ofthe mounting brackets 1888 and located forward from the support rods1886 to bias the optical modules 520 toward the user.

FIG. 20 is a top-view cross-section illustration that shows front-facingcameras 2091 that are supported by each of the optical modules 520.Openings or optically-transmissive panels 2092 (e.g., clear plastic) areincluded in the device housing 102 such that the front-facing cameras2091 are able to obtain images of the surrounding environment throughthe optically-transmissive panels 2092. A single panel or separatepanels may be used for the optically-transmissive panels 2092, and assuch the device housing 102 may include one or more of theoptically-transmissive panels 2092. Thus, the device housing 102 mayinclude one or more of the optically-transmissive panels 2092 throughwhich the front-facing cameras may obtain images of an environment froma point of view that simulates the point of view of the user. Thefront-facing cameras 2091 may be connected to and supported by acorresponding one of the optical modules 520. The front-facing cameras2091 may be positioned such that they are located on and substantiallyaligned with the optical axis 521 of a corresponding one of the opticalmodules 520 (e.g., the optical axes of the front-facing cameras 2091 maybe substantially aligned with the optical axes of the optical modules520). The front-facing cameras 2091 are oriented away from the user andare supported such that they are moved by the interpupillary distanceadjustment mechanisms 1885. Accordingly, when the user adjusts theinterpupillary distance between the optical modules 520, the distancebetween the front-facing cameras 2091 is also adjusted. Thus, imagesfrom the front-facing cameras 2091, when displayed to the user, havebeen captured at the user's own interpupillary distance and thereforeare presented more accurately in stereo vision. Thus, in someimplementations, the optical axis of a first one of the front-facingcameras 2091 is aligned with an optical axis of a first one of theoptical modules 520 and an optical axis of a second one of thefront-facing cameras 2091 is aligned with an optical axis of a secondone of the optical modules 520. Thus, in some implementations, a firstone of the front-facing cameras 2091 is connected in a fixedrelationship with respect to a first one of the optical modules 520, anda second one of the front-facing cameras 2091 is connected in a fixedrelationship with respect to a second one of the optical modules 520.Thus, in some implementations, the interpupillary distance adjustmentmechanisms a first spacing between an optical axis of a first one of theoptical modules 520 and an optical axis of a second one of the opticalmodules 520 generally equal to a second spacing between an optical axisof a first one of the front-facing cameras 2091 and an optical axis of asecond one of the front facing cameras 2091 during adjustment of thedistance between the optical modules 520.

FIG. 21 is an illustration that shows connection of the eye camera 530and the infrared emitter 532 to a computing device 2193 by an opticalmodule jumper board 2194. The computing device 2193 may be, for example,a computing device that incorporates the processor 108 of thehead-mounted device 100. The optical module jumper board 2194 has a dataconnection to the computing device 2193 over which signals and data toand from the eye camera 530 and the infrared emitter 532 aretransmitted. The optical module jumper board 2194 also has separate dataconnections to each of the eye camera 530 and the infrared emitter 532.Additional components could be included in the optical module 520 andconnected to the optical module jumper board 2194 by additional separateconnections. The optical module jumper board 2194 may be mounted to theoptical module 520, and therefore, moves in unison with the opticalmodule 520 during interpupillary distance adjustment. As a result, thenumber and size of electrical connections that are made to componentsthat are not mounted to the optical module (e.g., the computing device2193) is decreased. The optical module jumper board 2194 may be, asexamples, a rigid flex circuit board, a flexible circuit board, or aprinted component board.

A physical environment refers to a physical world that people can senseand/or interact with without aid of electronic systems. Physicalenvironments, such as a physical park, include physical articles, suchas physical trees, physical buildings, and physical people. People candirectly sense and/or interact with the physical environment, such asthrough sight, touch, hearing, taste, and smell.

In contrast, a computer-generated reality (CGR) environment refers to awholly or partially simulated environment that people sense and/orinteract with via an electronic system. In CGR, a subset of a person'sphysical motions, or representations thereof, are tracked, and, inresponse, one or more characteristics of one or more virtual objectssimulated in the CGR environment are adjusted in a manner that comportswith at least one law of physics. For example, a CGR system may detect aperson's head turning and, in response, adjust graphical content and anacoustic field presented to the person in a manner similar to how suchviews and sounds would change in a physical environment. In somesituations (e.g., for accessibility reasons), adjustments tocharacteristic(s) of virtual object(s) in a CGR environment may be madein response to representations of physical motions (e.g., vocalcommands).

A person may sense and/or interact with a CGR object using any one oftheir senses, including sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell. Forexample, a person may sense and/or interact with audio objects thatcreate three-dimensional or spatial audio environment that provides theperception of point audio sources in three-dimensional space. In anotherexample, audio objects may enable audio transparency, which selectivelyincorporates ambient sounds from the physical environment with orwithout computer-generated audio. In some CGR environments, a person maysense and/or interact only with audio objects.

Examples of CGR include virtual reality and mixed reality.

A virtual reality (VR) environment refers to a simulated environmentthat is designed to be based entirely on computer-generated sensoryinputs for one or more senses. A VR environment comprises a plurality ofvirtual objects with which a person may sense and/or interact. Forexample, computer-generated imagery of trees, buildings, and avatarsrepresenting people are examples of virtual objects. A person may senseand/or interact with virtual objects in the VR environment through asimulation of the person's presence within the computer-generatedenvironment, and/or through a simulation of a subset of the person'sphysical movements within the computer-generated environment.

In contrast to a VR environment, which is designed to be based entirelyon computer-generated sensory inputs, a mixed reality (MR) environmentrefers to a simulated environment that is designed to incorporatesensory inputs from the physical environment, or a representationthereof, in addition to including computer-generated sensory inputs(e.g., virtual objects). On a virtuality continuum, a mixed realityenvironment is anywhere between, but not including, a wholly physicalenvironment at one end and virtual reality environment at the other end.

In some MR environments, computer-generated sensory inputs may respondto changes in sensory inputs from the physical environment. Also, someelectronic systems for presenting an MR environment may track locationand/or orientation with respect to the physical environment to enablevirtual objects to interact with real objects (that is, physicalarticles from the physical environment or representations thereof). Forexample, a system may account for movements so that a virtual treeappears stationery with respect to the physical ground.

Examples of mixed realities include augmented reality and augmentedvirtuality.

An augmented reality (AR) environment refers to a simulated environmentin which one or more virtual objects are superimposed over a physicalenvironment, or a representation thereof. For example, an electronicsystem for presenting an AR environment may have a transparent ortranslucent display through which a person may directly view thephysical environment. The system may be configured to present virtualobjects on the transparent or translucent display, so that a person,using the system, perceives the virtual objects superimposed over thephysical environment. Alternatively, a system may have an opaque displayand one or more imaging sensors that capture images or video of thephysical environment, which are representations of the physicalenvironment. The system composites the images or video with virtualobjects, and presents the composition on the opaque display. A person,using the system, indirectly views the physical environment by way ofthe images or video of the physical environment, and perceives thevirtual objects superimposed over the physical environment. As usedherein, a video of the physical environment shown on an opaque displayis called “pass-through video,” meaning a system uses one or more imagesensor(s) to capture images of the physical environment, and uses thoseimages in presenting the AR environment on the opaque display. Furtheralternatively, a system may have a projection system that projectsvirtual objects into the physical environment, for example, as ahologram or on a physical surface, so that a person, using the system,perceives the virtual objects superimposed over the physicalenvironment.

An augmented reality environment also refers to a simulated environmentin which a representation of a physical environment is transformed bycomputer-generated sensory information. For example, in providingpass-through video, a system may transform one or more sensor images toimpose a select perspective (e.g., viewpoint) different than theperspective captured by the imaging sensors. As another example, arepresentation of a physical environment may be transformed bygraphically modifying (e.g., enlarging) portions thereof, such that themodified portion may be representative but not photorealistic versionsof the originally captured images. As a further example, arepresentation of a physical environment may be transformed bygraphically eliminating or obfuscating portions thereof.

An augmented virtuality (AV) environment refers to a simulatedenvironment in which a virtual or computer-generated environmentincorporates one or more sensory inputs from the physical environment.The sensory inputs may be representations of one or more characteristicsof the physical environment. For example, an AV park may have virtualtrees and virtual buildings, but people with faces photorealisticallyreproduced from images taken of physical people. As another example, avirtual object may adopt a shape or color of a physical article imagedby one or more imaging sensors. As a further example, a virtual objectmay adopt shadows consistent with the position of the sun in thephysical environment.

There are many different types of electronic systems that enable aperson to sense and/or interact with various CGR environments. Examplesinclude head-mounted systems, projection-based systems, heads-updisplays (HUDs), vehicle windshields having integrated displaycapability, windows having integrated display capability, displaysformed as lenses designed to be placed on a person's eyes (e.g., similarto contact lenses), headphones/earphones, speaker arrays, input systems(e.g., wearable or handheld controllers with or without hapticfeedback), smartphones, tablets, and desktop/laptop computers. Ahead-mounted system may have one or more speaker(s) and an integratedopaque display. Alternatively, a head-mounted system may be configuredto accept an external opaque display (e.g., a smartphone). Thehead-mounted system may incorporate one or more imaging sensors tocapture images or video of the physical environment, and/or one or moremicrophones to capture audio of the physical environment. Rather than anopaque display, a head-mounted system may have a transparent ortranslucent display. The transparent or translucent display may have amedium through which light representative of images is directed to aperson's eyes. The display may utilize digital light projection, OLEDs,LEDs, uLEDs, liquid crystal on silicon, laser scanning light source, orany combination of these technologies. The medium may be an opticalwaveguide, a hologram medium, an optical combiner, an optical reflector,or any combination thereof. In one embodiment, the transparent ortranslucent display may be configured to become opaque selectively.Projection-based systems may employ retinal projection technology thatprojects graphical images onto a person's retina. Projection systemsalso may be configured to project virtual objects into the physicalenvironment, for example, as a hologram or on a physical surface.

As described above, one aspect of the present technology is thegathering and use of data available from various sources to adjust thefit and comfort of a head-mounted device. The present disclosurecontemplates that in some instances, this gathered data may includepersonal information data that uniquely identifies or can be used tocontact or locate a specific person. Such personal information data caninclude demographic data, location-based data, telephone numbers, emailaddresses, twitter ID's, home addresses, data or records relating to auser's health or level of fitness (e.g., vital signs measurements,medication information, exercise information), date of birth, or anyother identifying or personal information.

The present disclosure recognizes that the use of such personalinformation data, in the present technology, can be used to the benefitof users. For example, a user profile may be established that stores fitand comfort related information that allows the head-mounted device tobe actively adjusted for a user. Accordingly, use of such personalinformation data enhances the user's experience.

The present disclosure contemplates that the entities responsible forthe collection, analysis, disclosure, transfer, storage, or other use ofsuch personal information data will comply with well-established privacypolicies and/or privacy practices. In particular, such entities shouldimplement and consistently use privacy policies and practices that aregenerally recognized as meeting or exceeding industry or governmentalrequirements for maintaining personal information data private andsecure. Such policies should be easily accessible by users, and shouldbe updated as the collection and/or use of data changes. Personalinformation from users should be collected for legitimate and reasonableuses of the entity and not shared or sold outside of those legitimateuses. Further, such collection/sharing should occur after receiving theinformed consent of the users. Additionally, such entities shouldconsider taking any needed steps for safeguarding and securing access tosuch personal information data and ensuring that others with access tothe personal information data adhere to their privacy policies andprocedures. Further, such entities can subject themselves to evaluationby third parties to certify their adherence to widely accepted privacypolicies and practices. In addition, policies and practices should beadapted for the particular types of personal information data beingcollected and/or accessed and adapted to applicable laws and standards,including jurisdiction-specific considerations. For instance, in the US,collection of or access to certain health data may be governed byfederal and/or state laws, such as the Health Insurance Portability andAccountability Act (HIPAA); whereas health data in other countries maybe subject to other regulations and policies and should be handledaccordingly. Hence different privacy practices should be maintained fordifferent personal data types in each country.

Despite the foregoing, the present disclosure also contemplatesembodiments in which users selectively block the use of, or access to,personal information data. That is, the present disclosure contemplatesthat hardware and/or software elements can be provided to prevent orblock access to such personal information data. For example, in the caseof storing a user profile to allow automatic adjustment of ahead-mounted device, the present technology can be configured to allowusers to select to “opt in” or “opt out” of participation in thecollection of personal information data during registration for servicesor anytime thereafter. In another example, users can select not toprovide data regarding usage of specific applications. In yet anotherexample, users can select to limit the length of time that applicationusage data is maintained or entirely prohibit the development of anapplication usage profile. In addition to providing “opt in” and “optout” options, the present disclosure contemplates providingnotifications relating to the access or use of personal information. Forinstance, a user may be notified upon downloading an app that theirpersonal information data will be accessed and then reminded again justbefore personal information data is accessed by the app.

Moreover, it is the intent of the present disclosure that personalinformation data should be managed and handled in a way to minimizerisks of unintentional or unauthorized access or use. Risk can beminimized by limiting the collection of data and deleting data once itis no longer needed. In addition, and when applicable, including incertain health related applications, data de-identification can be usedto protect a user's privacy. De-identification may be facilitated, whenappropriate, by removing specific identifiers (e.g., date of birth,etc.), controlling the amount or specificity of data stored (e.g.,collecting location data a city level rather than at an address level),controlling how data is stored (e.g., aggregating data across users),and/or other methods.

Therefore, although the present disclosure broadly covers use ofpersonal information data to implement one or more various disclosedembodiments, the present disclosure also contemplates that the variousembodiments can also be implemented without the need for accessing suchpersonal information data. That is, the various embodiments of thepresent technology are not rendered inoperable due to the lack of all ora portion of such personal information data. For example, fit andcomfort related parameters may be determined each time the head-mounteddevice is used, such as by scanning a user's face as they place thedevice on their head, and without subsequently storing the informationor associating with the particular user.

What is claimed is:
 1. An optical module for a head-mounted device thatis configured to present content to a user, the optical modulecomprising: an optical module housing assembly that has a first end anda second end, wherein the optical module housing assembly includes afirst portion that is connected to a second portion; and a lens that isconnected to the optical module housing assembly and is positioned atthe first end of the optical module housing assembly, wherein the lensis retained by securing a projection of the lens in a channel betweenthe first portion of the optical module housing assembly and the secondportion of the optical module housing assembly along an optical axis. 2.The optical module of claim 1, wherein the first portion of the opticalmodule housing assembly includes a first peripheral wall portion thatextends around the optical axis, the second portion of the opticalmodule housing assembly includes a second peripheral wall portion thatextends around the optical axis, and the first peripheral wall portionand the second peripheral wall portion engage the lens such that thelens is restrained from moving relative to the first portion and thesecond portion of the optical module housing assembly.
 3. The opticalmodule of claim 2, wherein a size and position of the channelcorresponds to a size and position of the projection such that theprojection can be received in the channel to secure the lens relative tothe first end and the second end and restrain movement of the lensrelative to the first end and the second end.
 4. The optical module ofclaim 1, wherein the projection extends outward from a body of the lensand the channel is defined on a peripheral wall of the first portion ofthe optical module housing assembly such that the projection is locatedin the channel and engages the first portion of the optical modulehousing assembly within the channel to align the lens relative to theoptical module housing assembly, to secure the lens relative to theoptical module housing assembly, and to restrain movement of the lensrelative to the optical module housing assembly.
 5. The optical moduleof claim 4, wherein a height of the projection is less than a height ofthe body of the lens.
 6. The optical module of claim 3, wherein thefirst portion and the second portion extend around an optical pathwayopening that is formed through a base portion of the second portion. 7.The optical module of claim 1, further comprising a display assemblythat is connected to the optical module housing assembly and ispositioned at the second end of the optical module housing assembly,wherein the display assembly is configured to cause the content to bedisplayed to the user through the lens.
 8. The optical module of claim1, wherein the optical module housing assembly defines a sealed internalspace along the optical axis.
 9. An optical module for a head-mounteddevice that is configured to present content to a user, the opticalmodule comprising: a housing body; a retainer; a lens disposed betweenthe housing body and the retainer, wherein the housing body and theretainer engage the lens such that the lens is restrained from movingrelative to the housing body and the retainer; and a display assemblyconnected to the housing body and configured to cause the content to bedisplayed to the user through the lens.
 10. The optical module of claim9, wherein the lens includes a lens body and projections that extendoutward from the lens body.
 11. The optical module of claim 10, whereinthe projections are retained between the housing body and the retainer.12. The optical module of claim 10, wherein a height of the projectionsis less than a height of the lens body.
 13. The optical module of claim10, wherein the retainer includes a peripheral wall that extends aroundan optical pathway opening and includes an upper inner periphery portionthat borders and extends around the optical pathway opening, and theupper inner periphery portion is configured to receive the lens body.14. The optical module of claim 13, wherein the peripheral wall includesa lower inner periphery portion that borders and extends around theoptical pathway opening and is configured for connection to the housingbody.
 15. The optical module of claim 14, wherein the housing bodyincludes a base portion that defines an optical pathway opening that isformed through the base portion, and a housing body peripheral wall thatextends around the optical pathway opening and is configured forconnection to the retainer.
 16. The optical module of claim 9, whereinthe lens is connected to the housing body and the retainer in a mannerthat defines an internal space between the lens and the displayassembly.
 17. An optical module for a head-mounted device that isconfigured to present content to a user, the optical module comprising:a lens having a lens body and projections that extend outward from thelens body; a housing body including a base portion that defines anoptical pathway opening formed through the base portion, and a housingbody peripheral wall that extends outward from the base portion andtoward the user and extends around the optical pathway opening; and aretainer having a retainer peripheral wall that extends around theoptical pathway opening, wherein the retainer peripheral wall includesan upper inner periphery portion configured to receive the lens body anddefines channels configured to receive the projections, and a lowerinner periphery portion configured for connection to the housing bodyperipheral wall.
 18. The optical module of claim 17, wherein a height ofthe projections is less than a height of the lens body.
 19. The opticalmodule of claim 18, wherein the lens body has an outer surface that isoriented toward the user and an inner surface located opposite the outersurface, wherein the projections extend from the inner surface.
 20. Theoptical module of claim 17, wherein a size and position of the channelscorresponds to a size and position of the projections such that theprojections can be received in the channels to secure the lens relativeto the housing body and restrain movement of the lens relative to thehousing body.